paroxetine vs pimozide
Side-by-side comparison of paroxetine and pimozide. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
major Known Drug Interaction
Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Pimozide and Thioridazine Clinical Impact Increased plasma concentrations of pimozide and thioridazine, drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, may increase the risk of QTc prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. Intervention Paroxetine is contraindicated in patients taking pimozide or thioridazine [see Contraindications ( 4 )] .
Recommendation: Do not take these two medications together. Your doctor will choose a different medicine to avoid the risk of life-threatening heart rhythm problems.
Paxil
Orap
Paroxetine (Paxil) is a medicine that can help treat depression and anxiety disorders. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Pimozide (Orap) is a medicine that helps control tics in people with Tourette's Disorder. It works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain.
Paroxetine is used to treat several conditions in adults. These include major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps to improve mood and reduce anxiety and panic feelings.
Pimozide is used to treat motor and phonic tics in people with Tourette's Disorder. It is for people who have not had success with other treatments. This medicine is not for tics that are mild or just annoying. It is meant for people whose tics greatly affect their daily life.
Paroxetine works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a natural substance that helps regulate mood. By increasing serotonin levels, paroxetine can help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Pimozide belongs to a class of drugs called antipsychotics. It works by blocking dopamine, a chemical in the brain. By blocking dopamine, pimozide helps to reduce tics.
- • Abnormal ejaculation
- • Weakness or fatigue
- • Constipation
- • Decreased appetite
- • Diarrhea
- • Parkinson-like symptoms (tremors, stiffness)
- • Restlessness
- • Muscle stiffness
- • Drowsiness
- Reaction with another medicine 1,825
- Tiredness 1,821
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,738
- Harmful effect from different substances 1,579
- Worry or nervousness 1,476
- Interaction with another medicine 76
- Parkinson-like symptoms 42
- Weight gain 37
- Sleepiness 33
- Low blood pressure 29
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. Your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Paroxetine is not approved for use in children.
Pimozide can cause changes in your heart rhythm (QT prolongation). This can lead to serious heart problems. You should have an ECG (heart test) before starting pimozide and regularly during treatment. Do not take pimozide with other medicines that can also affect your heart rhythm.
Paroxetine may cause harm to your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking paroxetine later in pregnancy may cause problems for the newborn.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if pimozide will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking pimozide during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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How to Read This paroxetine vs pimozide Comparison
paroxetine is classified in the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) drug class, while pimozide sits within the Typical Antipsychotic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, paroxetine has 8,439 submissions while pimozide has 217. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to paroxetine slows down how your body processes pimozide, causing the drug to build up to unsafe levels. high levels of pimozide can cause the heart to beat in a dangerous and irregular way.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between paroxetine and pimozide - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.